Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159) - Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (Ratification: 1996)

Implementation of a national policy. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2010 listing the legal provisions on persons with disabilities in force and indicating the most recent statutes on the subject. The Government states that in August 2009 a National Solidarity and Equity Fund was created on a temporary basis for persons with disabilities with the aim of increasing the probability of integrating men and women with disabilities in the labour market, either in employment or self-employment. The Government suggests that the apparent ignorance of the existing rules and regulations by employers prevents their implementation by the Ministry of Labour. The Government also includes a list of measures taken under Supreme Decree No. 27477 of May 2004, the aim of which was to promote preferential treatment for persons with disabilities in terms of labour market access, progress and stability, with the requirement that in public entities, such persons must account for at least 4 per cent of total human resources on average. The Committee refers to its observation of 2006 and requests the Government to provide information in its next report on the results obtained in integrating persons with disabilities into the open labour market (Article 2 of the Convention). It also asks the Government to provide further information on the impact of the measures adopted to ensure effective equality of treatment between men and women workers with disabilities and other workers (Article 4), the provision of vocational guidance, vocational training, placement, employment and other related services to enable persons with disabilities to secure, retain and advance in employment (Article 7), the provision of vocational rehabilitation and employment services for persons with disabilities who live in remote areas and who lack economic resources (Article 8) and the specific measures put into effect to ensure the availability of suitably qualified vocational rehabilitation staff (Article 9).

Consultation of the representative organizations of employers and workers. The Committee again asks the Government to provide information on the consultations held with employers and workers organizations – such as the Bolivian Central of Workers and the Confederation of Private Employers of Bolivia – regarding the measures taken to promote cooperation and coordination between public and private institutions engaged in vocational rehabilitation activities (Article 5).

Part V of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to illustrate its next report with practical information such as extracts from reports, studies and enquiries concerning the matters covered by the Convention.